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A delegation of medical volunteers with the Israeli rescue organization ZAKA have already been in the Philippines for a week identifying and providing aid to the many victims of super-typhoon Haiyan.

The Israeli medics and paramedics have extensive experience in providing disaster relief around the world. In addition to large amount of medical equipment and supplies, the group also took along a large quantity of food.

Israel’s national airline, El Al, did its part by flying the team and its equipment over to the Philippines free of charge.

After arriving in the Philippines, the ZAKA team chose one of the harder hit islands and set up its base of operations in a local town that was almost completely destroyed by the typhoon.

Mission commander Matthew Goldstein noted that “there wasn’t a single building that wasn’t destroyed or severely damaged. The place looks like a ghost town. There is complete chaos and a huge number of casualties.”

Members of the ZAKA rescue mission plan to continue working the area for the foreseeable future.

The upcoming issue of Israel Today Magazine will feature a center spread highlighting the work of Israeli rescue teams in the Philippines.